Romance, Chapter 73

Chapter 73. Xuande Is Raised to King of Hanzhong; Yunchang Storms and Takes Xiangyang Commandery

Now when Cao Cao had fallen back as far as the Xie Valley, Kongming, reckoning that he would certainly abandon Hanzhong and flee, sent Ma Chao and the other generals to divide their troops into a dozen or more columns and harry him at every turn. Because of this Cao Cao could not stay long; besides, he had been struck by an arrow from Wei Yan, so he hurried his army home. The fighting spirit of all three armies was utterly spent. The vanguard had barely set out when fires sprang up on both sides: it was Ma Chao’s ambush troops in pursuit. Every man in Cao Cao’s army lost heart.

卻說曹操退兵至斜谷，孔明料他必棄漢中而走，故差馬超等諸將，分兵十數路，不時攻劫。因此操不能久住；又被魏延射了一箭，急急班師。三軍銳氣墮盡。前隊纔行，兩下火起，乃是馬超伏兵追趕。曹兵人人喪膽。

Cao Cao ordered his soldiers to march in haste, and they pressed on day and night without a halt. Only when they reached Jingzhao did he feel at ease.

操令軍士急行，曉夜奔走無停；直至京兆，方始安心。

Meanwhile Xuande ordered Liu Feng, Meng Da, Wang Ping and others to attack and take Shangyong and the neighbouring commanderies. When Shen Dan and the others heard that Cao Cao had already abandoned Hanzhong and fled, they all surrendered. Once Xuande had settled the people, he richly rewarded his whole army, and everyone was overjoyed. At this all the generals conceived the wish to raise Xuande to the throne as emperor. Not daring to put it to him directly, they went instead to the Director of Strategy Zhuge. Kongming said, “I have already made up my mind on that.”

且說玄德命劉封、孟達、王平等，攻取上庸諸郡，申耽等聞操已棄漢中而走，遂皆投降，玄德安民已定，大賞三軍，人心大悅。於是衆將皆有推尊玄德爲帝之心；未敢徑啓，卻來稟告諸葛軍師，孔明曰：“吾意已有定奪了。”

Then he took Fa Zheng and others in with him to see Xuande, and said, “Now Cao Cao has seized all power for himself and the people have no true master. Your humanity and righteousness, my lord, are renowned throughout the empire, and you now hold and govern the Two Chuan. You may answer Heaven and follow the will of the people by taking the imperial throne. Then your title will be rightful and your words will carry weight, and you can punish the traitor to the state. This must not be delayed; we beg you to choose an auspicious day.” Xuande was greatly startled. “You are wrong, Director of Strategy,” he said. “Though I, Liu Bei, am of the Han imperial clan, I am still a subject. To do such a thing would be to rebel against Han.”

隨引法正等入見玄德，曰：“今曹操專權，百姓無主；主公仁義著於天下，今已撫有兩川之地，可以應天順人，即皇帝位，名正言順，以討國賊。事不宜遲，便請擇吉。”玄德大驚曰：“軍師之言差矣。劉備雖然漢之宗室，乃臣子也；若爲此事，是反漢矣。”

“Not so,” said Kongming. “At present the empire has split apart and crumbled; heroes have risen together, each lording it over his own region. The men of talent and virtue in all the four seas who risk death and forsake life to serve their masters all hope to cling to the dragon and attach themselves to the phoenix, and so to win merit and fame. If you now shun suspicion and cling to propriety, my lord, I fear you will disappoint the hopes of all. I beg you to think it over carefully.” Xuande said, “If you want me to usurp the honoured throne, I shall never dare. Let us discuss some other long-term plan.”

孔明曰：“非也。方今天下分崩，英雄並起，各霸一方，四海才德之士，舍死亡生而事其上者，皆欲攀龍附鳳，建立功名也。今主公避嫌守義，恐失衆人之望。願主公熟思之。”玄德曰：“要吾僭居尊位，吾必不敢。可再商議長策。”

The generals said with one voice, “If you do nothing but decline, my lord, the hearts of all will fall away.” Kongming said, “All your life, my lord, you have made righteousness your foundation, and you will not agree to take the imperial title at once. But now that you hold Jingxiang and the Two Chuan, you might for the time being become King of Hanzhong.” Xuande said, “Even if you wish to honour me as king, without a clear decree from the Son of Heaven it would be usurpation.” Kongming said, “Now is the time to bend to circumstances; we must not cling to ordinary rules.” Zhang Fei shouted, “Men of other surnames all want to be rulers, and how much more right have you, elder brother, who are of the Han imperial line!

諸將齊言曰：“主公若只推卻，衆心解矣。”孔明曰：“主公平生以義爲本，未肯便稱尊號。今有荊襄、兩川之地，可暫爲漢中王。”玄德曰：“汝等雖欲尊吾爲王，不得天子明詔，是僭也。”孔明曰：“今宜從權，不可拘執常理。”張飛大叫曰：“異姓之人，皆欲爲君何況哥哥乃漢朝宗派！

Never mind King of Hanzhong—why should you not call yourself emperor outright?” Xuande rebuked him: “Hold your tongue!” Kongming said, “You should bend to circumstances, my lord. First take the rank of King of Hanzhong, and then memorialize the Son of Heaven. That will not be too late.”

莫說漢中王，就稱皇帝，有何不可！”玄德叱曰：“汝勿多言！”孔明曰：“主公宜從權變，先進位漢中王，然後表奏天子，未爲遲也。”

Having declined again and again without being able to refuse, Xuande at last had to consent. In the seventh month, in autumn, of the twenty-fourth year of Jian’an, an altar was built at Mianyang, nine li around, laid out toward the five directions, each with its own banners and insignia. The officials all took their places in order of rank. Xu Jing and Fa Zheng invited Xuande to ascend the altar and presented him with the crown and the seal and ribbon. When this was done he sat facing south and received the obeisance and congratulations of the civil and military officials as King of Hanzhong. His son Liu Shan was made Heir to the King.

玄德再三推辭不過，只得依允。建安二十四年秋七月，築壇於沔陽，方圓九里，分佈五方，各設旌旗儀仗。羣臣皆依次序排列。許靖、法正請玄德登壇，進冠冕璽綬訖，面南而坐，受文武官員拜賀爲漢中王。子劉禪，立爲王世子。

Xu Jing was made Grand Tutor and Fa Zheng Director of the Masters of Writing; Zhuge Liang was made Director of Strategy with overall charge of the great affairs of army and state. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Ma Chao and Huang Zhong were created the Five Tiger Generals, and Wei Yan was made Prefect of Hanzhong. All the rest were assigned ranks according to their merits. Having become King of Hanzhong, Xuande drew up a memorial and sent a man to carry it to Xudu. It read: “I, Bei, with the talents of a minister who merely fills a place, have borne the charge of a senior general, commanding the three armies and carrying out my orders in the field. Yet I have been unable to sweep away the rebels and bring order and peace to the royal house, and so for long I have let Your Majesty’s sacred teaching decline, and all within the six directions has remained blocked and without peace. My only care has been this, tossing and turning in anxiety, sick at heart as with an aching head.

封許靖爲太傅，法正爲尚書令；諸葛亮爲軍師，總理軍國重事。封關羽、張飛、趙雲、馬超、黃忠爲五虎大將，魏延爲漢中太守。其餘各擬功勳定爵。玄德既爲漢中王，遂修表一道，差人齎赴許都。表曰：“備以具臣之才，荷上將之任，總督三軍，奉辭於外；不能掃除寇難，靖匡王室，久使陛下聖教陵遲，六合之內，否而未泰：惟憂反側，疢如疾首。

In former days Dong Zhuo laid the first step toward disorder. From that time on, a host of villains ran riot, ravaging and plundering all within the seas. Thanks to Your Majesty’s sacred virtue and awesome presence, and to your subjects rising as one in response, the violent rebels—some struck down by loyal men rising to punish them, some by the punishment sent down from Heaven above—have all perished and gradually melted away like ice. Only Cao Cao has long escaped destruction; he has encroached upon and usurped the power of the state and given free rein to his heart in the utmost disorder. Once I plotted with the General of Chariots and Cavalry Dong Cheng to punish Cao Cao, but our secret was not kept, and Dong Cheng was trapped and killed.

曩者董卓，造爲亂階。自是之後，羣兇縱橫，殘剝海內。賴陛下聖德威臨，人臣同應，或忠義奮討，或上天降罰，暴逆並殪，以漸冰消。惟獨曹操，久未梟除，侵擅國權，恣心極亂。臣昔與車騎將軍董承，圖謀討操，機事不密，承見陷害。

I was driven from place to place and lost my footing, and my loyal purpose came to nothing, so that Cao Cao was able to carry his wickedness and treason to the limit: the Empress was put to death and the imperial princes were poisoned. Though I have gathered allies and been bent on exerting all my strength, I have been weak and unwarlike, and for years have achieved nothing. I have lived in constant fear that I would perish and fail the kindness of the state; waking and sleeping I have sighed long, and until evening I have been watchful as though in peril. Now my officials hold that in ancient times, as the Book of Yu records, the nine branches of kin were ordered with generous care, and the many wise men strove to lend their support; emperors and kings handed this way down from one to the next and never let it lapse. The Zhou, looking to the two dynasties before it, set up the princes of the Ji clan side by side, and truly relied on the strength of Jin and Zheng supporting it on either hand. When the High Ancestor rose like a dragon, he honoured the sons and brothers of the royal house and established nine kingdoms on a grand scale, and in the end they cut down the Lü clan and so secured the main line of the dynasty.

臣播越失據，忠義不果，遂得使操窮兇極逆：主後戮殺，皇子鴆害。雖糾合同盟，念在奮力；懦弱不武，歷年未效。常恐殞越，辜負國恩；寤寐永嘆，夕惕若厲。今臣羣僚以爲：在昔虞書敦敘九族，庶明勵翼；帝王相傳，此道不廢；周監二代，並建諸姬，實賴晉、鄭夾輔之力；高祖龍興，尊王子弟，大啓九國，卒斬諸呂，以安大宗。

Now Cao Cao hates the upright and loathes the honest; his followers are truly many; he harbours evil designs, and his intent to usurp and steal the throne is already plain. Since the imperial clan is weak and the members of the imperial house hold no rank, they weighed the ancient precedents and, resorting to an expedient for the time, put me forward as Grand Marshal and King of Hanzhong. Prostrate, I examined myself three times: I have received the generous favour of the state and borne the charge of a whole region, yet for all my efforts I have achieved nothing, and what I have gained is already more than I deserve. I ought not to disgrace a high position further and so add to my guilt and to reproach. But my officials pressed me and urged me on the grounds of duty.

今操惡直醜正，實繁有徒，包藏禍心，篡盜已顯；既宗室微弱，帝族無位，斟酌古式，依假權宜：上臣爲大司馬、漢中王。臣伏自三省：受國厚恩，荷任一方，陳力未效，所獲已過，不宜復忝高位，以重罪謗。羣僚見逼，迫臣以義。

When I withdrew and reflected, I saw that the rebels have not been destroyed and the troubles of the state have not ended; the ancestral temples totter in peril and the altars of the land are about to fall. This is truly the time for me to grieve at heart and dash out my brains in service. If by bending to circumstances and adapting to change I can bring peace to the sacred court, then I would not refuse even to go through fire and water. So I have followed the counsel of all and humbly accepted the seal, to exalt the majesty of the state. Looking up at this rank and title, I see how high the position and how great the favour; looking down to think how I may repay it, I feel how deep the anxiety and how heavy the responsibility. Fearful and trembling, I scarcely dare to breathe, as though standing at the edge of a deep valley.

臣退惟寇賊不梟，國難未已；宗廟傾危，社稷將墜：誠臣憂心碎首之日。若應權通變，以寧靜聖朝，雖赴水火，所不得辭。輒順衆議，拜受印璽，以崇國威。仰惟爵號，位高寵厚；俯思報效，憂深責重。驚怖惕息，如臨於谷。

How could I dare not to spend all my strength and devotion, encouraging the six armies and leading all righteous men in unison, answering Heaven and following the times, to bring peace to the altars of the land? I respectfully present this memorial for Your Majesty’s information.”

敢不盡力輸誠，獎勵六師，率齊羣義，應天順時，以寧社稷。謹拜表以聞。”

The memorial reached Xudu. Cao Cao, who was at Yejun, heard that Xuande had made himself King of Hanzhong and said in a great rage, “That mat-weaving whelp! How dare he! I swear I will destroy him!” At once he sent out orders to raise every soldier in the realm and march on the Two Chuan to decide the contest with the King of Hanzhong. But one man stepped out from the ranks and remonstrated: “Your Highness must not, in a moment’s anger, put yourself to the toil of a distant campaign. I have a plan by which, without drawing a single bow or loosing a single arrow, we can make Liu Bei bring disaster on himself in Shu. Wait until his troops are worn out and his strength is spent, and then a single general sent against him will be enough to succeed.”

表到許都，曹操在鄴郡聞知玄德自立漢中王，大怒曰：“織蓆小兒，安敢如此！吾誓滅之！”即時傳令，盡起傾國之兵，赴兩川與漢中王決雌雄。一人出班諫曰：“大王不可因一時之怒，親勞車駕遠征。臣有一計，不須張弓只箭，令劉備在蜀自受其禍；待其兵衰力盡，只須一將往徵之，便可成功。”

Cao Cao looked at the man; it was Sima Yi. Delighted, he asked, “What is your excellent idea, Zhongda?” Sima Yi said, “Sun Quan of Jiangdong married his sister to Liu Bei and then seized a chance to take her back by stealth, while Liu Bei for his part has occupied Jingzhou and will not give it back. Each hates the other enough to grind his teeth. Now send a man of ready tongue with a letter to talk Sun Quan into raising troops to take Jingzhou. Liu Bei will certainly send the troops of the Two Chuan to save Jingzhou.

操視其人，乃司馬懿也。操喜問曰：“仲達有何高見？”懿曰：“江東孫權，以妹嫁劉備，而又乘間竊取回去；劉備又據佔荊州不還：彼此俱有切齒之恨。今可差一舌辯之士，齎書往說孫權，使興兵取荊州；劉備必發兩川之兵以救荊州。

At that moment, Your Highness, raise your troops and take Hanchuan. Liu Bei will be unable to bring head and tail to each other’s rescue, and his position will surely be perilous.” Cao Cao was overjoyed. At once he wrote a letter and sent Man Chong as envoy, travelling day and night to Jiangdong to see Sun Quan.

那時大王興兵去取漢川，令劉備首尾不能相救，勢必危矣。”操大喜，即修書令滿寵爲使，星夜投江東來見孫權。

Learning that Man Chong had arrived, Sun Quan consulted his advisers. Zhang Zhao came forward and said, “Wei and Wu have no feud of their own. It was because we listened to Zhuge’s persuasions earlier that our two houses have warred year after year without end, and the common people have been plunged into misery. Now that Man Boning has come, he must mean to make peace. We should receive him courteously.” Sun Quan followed his advice and had the advisers welcome Man Chong into the city to meet him. When the courtesies were over, Sun Quan treated Man Chong as an honoured guest.

權知滿寵到，遂與謀士商議。張昭進曰：“魏與吳本無仇；前因聽諸葛之說詞，致兩家連年征戰不息，生靈遭其塗炭。今滿伯寧來，必有講和之意，可以禮接之。”權依其言，令衆謀士接滿寵入城相見。禮畢，權以賓禮待寵。

Man Chong presented Cao Cao’s letter and said, “Wu and Wei have never had any feud; it is all because of Liu Bei that a rift has opened between them. The King of Wei has sent me here to arrange with you, General, to attack and take Jingzhou, while he advances his army on Hanchuan, so that we may strike from head and tail together. Once Liu Bei is destroyed, we will divide his territory and swear never to encroach on each other.” When Sun Quan had read the letter through, he gave a banquet in Man Chong’s honour and then sent him to the guest lodging to rest. Sun Quan then consulted his advisers.

寵呈上操書，曰：“吳、魏自來無仇，皆因劉備之故，致生釁隙。魏王差某到此，約將軍攻取荊州，魏王以兵臨漢川，首尾夾擊。破劉之後，共分疆土，誓不相侵。”孫權覽書畢，設筵相待滿寵，送歸館舍安歇。權與衆謀士商議。

Gu Yong said, “Though these are the words of a persuader, there is sense in them. Let us, on the one hand, send Man Chong back and agree with Cao Cao to strike from head and tail together, and on the other send someone across the river to find out what Yunchang is doing. Then we can act.” Zhuge Jin said, “I have heard that since Yunchang came to Jingzhou, Liu Bei has found him a wife, and she has borne him first a son and then a daughter. The daughter is still young and not yet promised to anyone. I would like to go and ask for her hand for my lord’s heir.

顧雍曰：“雖是說詞，其中有理。今可一面送滿寵回，約會曹操，首尾相擊；一面使人過江探雲長動靜，方可行事。”諸葛瑾曰：“某聞雲長自到荊州，劉備娶與妻室，先生一子，次生一女。其女尚幼，未許字人。某願往與主公世子求婚。

If Yunchang agrees, we can then plan with him to destroy Cao Cao together; if he refuses, then we can help Cao Cao take Jingzhou.” Sun Quan adopted this plan. First he sent Man Chong back to Xudu, and then he sent Zhuge Jin as envoy to Jingzhou. Zhuge Jin entered the city and saw Yunchang, and they exchanged courtesies. “What brings you here, Ziyu?” asked Yunchang. Zhuge Jin said, “I have come expressly to seek a bond of friendship between our two houses. My master, the Marquis of Wu, has a son who is very clever, and hearing that you, General, have a daughter, I have come expressly to ask for her in marriage.

若雲長肯許，即與雲長計議共破曹操；若雲長不肯，然後助曹取荊州。”孫權用其謀，先送滿寵回許都；卻遣諸葛瑾爲使，投荊州來。入城見雲長，禮畢。雲長曰：“子瑜此來何意？”瑾曰：“特來求結兩家之好：吾主吳侯有一子，甚聰明；聞將軍有一女，特來求親。

If our two houses are joined in friendship and combine their strength to destroy Cao Cao, it will truly be a fine thing. I pray Your Lordship will consider it.” Yunchang flared up in a great rage. “How could I give my tiger daughter to a dog’s whelp? If it were not for your brother’s sake, I would have your head off this instant! Not another word!” And he called his attendants to throw him out. Zhuge Jin fled like a rat with his head in his hands and went back to see the Marquis of Wu. Not daring to hide anything, he told him the truth. Sun Quan was furious. “What insolence!” he said, and he summoned Zhang Zhao and his other civil and military officers to discuss how to take Jingzhou.

兩家結好，併力破曹。此誠美事，請君侯思之。”雲長勃然大怒曰：“吾虎女安肯嫁犬子乎！不看汝弟之面，立斬汝首！再休多言！”遂喚左右逐出。瑾抱頭鼠竄，回見吳侯；不敢隱匿，遂以實告。權大怒曰：“何太無禮耶！”便喚張昭等文武官員，商議取荊州之策。

Bu Zhi said, “Cao Cao has long wanted to usurp the Han, and the one he fears is Liu Bei. Now he sends an envoy to get Wu to raise troops and swallow up Shu: this is a scheme to shift the disaster onto Wu.” Sun Quan said, “I too have long wanted to take Jingzhou.” Bu Zhi said, “Right now Cao Ren has troops stationed at Xiangyang and Fancheng, and with no Yangtze barrier in the way, he could take Jingzhou by land. Why does he not take it himself, instead of making you, my lord, move your troops? That alone shows what he has in mind.

步騭曰：“曹操久欲篡漢，所懼者劉備也；今遣使來令吳興兵吞蜀，此嫁禍於吳也。”權曰：“孤亦欲取荊州久矣。”騭曰：“今曹仁現屯兵於襄陽、樊城，又無長江之險，旱路可取荊州；如何不取，卻令主公動兵？只此便見其心。

Send an envoy to Xudu to see Cao Cao, my lord, and ask him to have Cao Ren raise his troops first and take Jingzhou by land. Yunchang will then be sure to draw off the troops of Jingzhou to take Fancheng. Once Yunchang moves, you can send a general to take Jingzhou by stealth, and it will be yours at a single stroke.” Sun Quan followed this advice and at once sent an envoy across the river with a letter to Cao Cao explaining the matter. Cao Cao was delighted. He sent the envoy back ahead, then dispatched Man Chong to Fancheng to assist Cao Ren as Adviser and discuss the moving of troops. At the same time he sent an urgent dispatch to Eastern Wu, directing them to lead their troops by water in support, to take Jingzhou.

主公可遣使去許都見操，令曹仁旱路先起兵取荊州，雲長必掣荊州之兵而取樊城。若雲長一動，主公可遣一將，暗取荊州，一舉可得矣。”權從其議，即時遣使過江，上書曹操，陳說此事。操大喜，發付使者先回，隨遣滿寵往樊城助曹仁，爲參謀官，商議動兵；一面馳檄東吳，令領兵水路接應，以取荊州。

Meanwhile the King of Hanzhong placed Wei Yan in overall command of the troops to guard Dongchuan, and led his officials back to Chengdu. He sent officers to build a palace and set up lodgings as well: from Chengdu to Baishui more than four hundred lodges, pavilions and post stations were built in all. He stored up great quantities of grain and fodder and had many weapons made, planning an advance on the Central Plains. Spies learned that Cao Cao had allied himself with Eastern Wu and meant to take Jingzhou, and at once sent word flying into Shu.

卻說漢中王令魏延總督軍馬，守禦東川。遂引百官回成都。差官起造宮庭，又置館舍，自成都至白水，共建四百餘處館舍亭郵。廣積糧草。多造軍器，以圖進取中原。細作人探聽得曹操結連東吳，欲取荊州，即飛報入蜀。

The King of Hanzhong hastily summoned Kongming to consult him. Kongming said, “I had already foreseen that Cao Cao would try this. But Wu has a great many advisers, and they will certainly have taught Cao Cao to make Cao Ren move his troops first.” “In that case, what are we to do?” asked the King of Hanzhong. Kongming said, “Send an envoy to take Yunchang his patent of office, and order him to raise his troops first and take Fancheng. Once the enemy is struck with fear, they will fall apart of their own accord.” The King of Hanzhong was delighted, and at once sent Fei Shi, Marshal of the Van, as envoy to carry the patent to Jingzhou.

漢中王忙請孔明商議。孔明曰：“某已料曹操必有此謀；然吳中謀士極多，必教操令曹仁先興兵矣。”漢中王曰：“依此如之奈何？”孔明曰：“可差使命就送官誥與雲長，令先起兵取樊城，使敵軍膽寒，自然瓦解矣。”漢中王大喜，即差前部司馬費詩爲使，齎捧誥命投荊州來。

Yunchang came out of the city to meet him and brought him in. When they reached the government office and had exchanged courtesies, Yunchang asked, “What rank has the King of Hanzhong conferred on me?”

雲長出郭，迎接入城。至公廨禮畢，雲長問曰：“漢中王封我何爵？”

“The first of the Five Tiger Generals,” said Fei Shi.

詩曰：“五虎大將之首。”

“Who are the Five Tigers?” asked Yunchang.

雲長問：“那五虎將？”

“Guan, Zhang, Zhao, Ma and Huang,” said Fei Shi.

詩曰：“關、張、趙、馬、黃是也。”

Yunchang said angrily, “Yide is my brother; Mengqi comes of a family famous for generations; Zilong has followed my elder brother for years and is as good as a brother to me. For them to stand level with me is well enough. But who is this Huang Zhong, that he dares to be ranked alongside me? A true man will never stand in the ranks with an old trooper!” And he refused to accept the seal. Fei Shi laughed. “You are mistaken, General. In the old days Xiao He and Cao Can joined the High Ancestor in his great enterprise and were closest to him, while Han Xin was only a general who had deserted from Chu. Yet Han Xin was made a king and ranked above Xiao He and Cao Can, and no one ever heard that they resented it.

雲長怒曰：“翼德吾弟也；孟起世代名家；子龍久隨吾兄，即吾弟也：位與吾相併，可也。黃忠何等人，敢與吾同列？大丈夫終不與老卒爲伍？”遂不肯受印。詩笑曰：“將軍差矣。昔蕭何、曹參與高祖同舉大事，最爲親近，而韓信乃楚之亡將也；然信位爲王，居蕭、曹之上，未聞蕭、曹以此爲怨。

Now although the King of Hanzhong has named five Tiger Generals, he and you, General, are bound as brothers, and he regards you as one body with himself. You are the King of Hanzhong, and the King of Hanzhong is you. How could you be on a level with the others? You have received the King of Hanzhong’s great favour, General; you should share his joys and sorrows, his fortune and misfortune, and not haggle over the rank of titles. I beg you to think it over carefully.” Yunchang saw the light at once. He bowed twice and said, “It was my own blindness. Had you not instructed me, sir, I might have ruined a great enterprise.” And he bowed and accepted the seal and ribbon.

今漢中王雖有五虎將之封，而與將軍有兄弟之義，視同一體。將軍即漢中王，漢中王即將軍也。豈與諸人等哉？將軍受漢中王厚恩，當與同休慼、共禍福，不宜計較官號之高下。願將軍熟思之。”雲長大悟，乃再拜曰：“某之不明，非足下見教，幾誤大事。”即拜受印綬。

Only then did Fei Shi bring out the king’s command, ordering Yunchang to lead his troops and take Fancheng. Yunchang accepted the order and at once appointed Shi Ren and Mi Fang to lead the van, sending them ahead with a force to camp outside the city of Jingzhou. Meanwhile he gave a banquet in the city in Fei Shi’s honour. They had been drinking until the second watch when word suddenly came that fire had broken out in the camp outside the walls. Yunchang hastily threw on his armour, mounted and rode out to look. Shi Ren and Mi Fang had been drinking, and a fire left untended behind their tent had set off the fire-cannon. The whole camp was shaken, and the weapons, grain and fodder were all burned up.

費詩方出王旨，令雲長領兵取樊城。雲長領命，即時便差傅士仁、糜芳二人爲先鋒，先引一軍於荊州城外屯紮；一面設宴城中，款待費詩。飲至二更，忽報城外寨中火起。雲長急披掛上馬，出城看時，乃是傅士仁、糜芳飲酒，帳後遺火，燒着火炮，滿營撼動，把軍器糧草，盡皆燒燬。

Yunchang led his men to beat out the flames, and not until the fourth watch was the fire put out. Back in the city, he summoned Shi Ren and Mi Fang and berated them: “I made you two the leaders of my van, and before we have even marched you have burned a great store of weapons, grain and fodder, and the fire-cannon have killed men of our own command. What use are you two, bungling things like this?” And he ordered them beheaded. Fei Shi pleaded, “To behead your commanders before the army has even marched will not bode well for the campaign.

雲長引兵救撲，至四更方纔火滅。雲長入城，召傅士仁、糜芳責之曰：“吾令汝二人作先鋒，不曾出師，先將許多軍器糧草燒燬，火炮打死本部軍人。如此誤事，要你二人何用？”叱令斬之。費詩告曰：“未曾出師，先斬大將，于軍不利。

Spare them for now.” His anger still unappeased, Yunchang rebuked the two: “If it were not for Marshal Fei’s sake, I would certainly have your heads!” He had his guards give each of them forty strokes of the rod, and stripped them of their seals as leaders of the van. As punishment, Mi Fang was sent to guard Nan Commandery and Shi Ren to guard Gong’an. “If on the day I return victorious,” Yunchang said, “there is the slightest slip, you will be punished for both offences together!” The two men, their faces burning with shame, murmured assent and withdrew.

可暫免其罪。”雲長怒氣不息，叱二人曰：“吾不看費司馬之面，必斬汝二人之首！”乃喚武士各杖四十，摘去先鋒印綬，罰糜芳守南郡，傅士仁守公安；且曰：“若吾得勝回來之日，稍有差池，二罪俱罰！”二人滿面羞慚，喏喏而去。

Yunchang then made Liao Hua leader of the van and Guan Ping his second in command, took charge of the centre himself, and with Ma Liang and Yi Ji as his advisers set out on the campaign. Some time before this, Hu Ban, the son of Hu Hua, had come to Jingzhou and surrendered to Guan Yu. Remembering how Hu Ban had once saved his life, Guan Yu was very fond of him, and he sent him with Fei Shi into Shu to see the King of Hanzhong and receive a rank. Fei Shi took leave of Guan Yu and returned to Shu, taking Hu Ban with him.

雲長便令廖化爲先鋒，關平爲副將，自總中軍，馬良、伊籍爲參謀，一同徵進。先是，有胡華之子胡班，到荊州來投降關公；公念其舊日相救之情，甚愛之；令隨費詩入川，見漢中王受爵。費詩辭別關公，帶了胡班，自回蜀中去了。

Now that day, Guan Yu, having sacrificed to the great banner bearing the character “Commander,” was dozing in his tent. Suddenly he saw a pig, as big as an ox and black all over, rush into the tent and bite him right on the foot. In a great rage, Yunchang drew his sword and cut at it, and there was a sound like the tearing of silk. He woke with a start: it had been a dream. But he felt a dull ache in his left foot and was deeply troubled. He called Guan Ping and told him the dream.

且說關公是日祭了“帥”字大旗，假寐於帳中。忽見一豬，其大如牛，渾身黑色，奔入帳中，徑咬雲長之足。雲長大怒，急拔劍斬之，聲如裂帛。霎然驚覺，乃是一夢。便覺左足陰陰疼痛，心中大疑。喚關平至，以夢告之。

Guan Ping replied, “The pig also has something of the dragon in it. A dragon attaching itself to your foot means rising on high. There is no need to be troubled by it.” Yunchang gathered his officers in his tent and told them of the dream’s omen. Some said it was auspicious and some said it was not, and opinions were divided. Yunchang said, “I am a man, and nearly sixty years old. If I die, what have I to regret?” Just as he was speaking, an envoy arrived from Shu bearing a command from the King of Hanzhong: Yunchang was appointed General of the Front, granted the Credentials and the Axe, and given supreme command over the affairs of the nine commanderies of Jingxiang.

平對曰：“豬亦有龍象。龍附足，乃升騰之意，不必疑忌。”雲長聚多官於帳下，告以夢兆。或言吉祥者，或言不祥者，衆論不一。雲長曰：“吾大丈夫，年近六旬，即死何憾！”正言間，蜀使至，傳漢中王旨，拜雲長爲前將軍，假節鉞，都督荊襄九郡事。

When Yunchang had received the appointment, his officers bowed in congratulation and said, “This is proof enough of the good omen of the pig and the dragon.” After that Yunchang put his mind at rest and doubted no more, and he set his army marching down the main road to Xiangyang.

雲長受命訖，衆官拜賀曰：“此足見豬龍之瑞也。”於是雲長坦然不疑，遂起兵奔襄陽大路而來。

Cao Ren was in the city when word suddenly came that Yunchang was coming at the head of his army in person. Greatly alarmed, Cao Ren wanted to hold fast and not come out. His lieutenant Zhai Yuan said, “The King of Wei has ordered you, General, to join with Eastern Wu in taking Jingzhou. Now the enemy has come of his own accord—he is coming to his death. Why avoid him?” The Adviser Man Chong remonstrated: “I have long known Yunchang to be brave and resourceful; he must not be taken lightly. Better to hold fast—that is the best plan.” The valiant general Xiahou Cun said, “That is only a bookish scholar’s talk.

曹仁正在城中，忽報雲長自領兵來。仁大驚，欲堅守不出，副將翟元曰：“今魏王令將軍約會東吳取荊州；今彼自來，是送死也，何故避之！”參謀滿寵諫曰：“吾素知雲長勇而有謀，未可輕敵。不如堅守，乃爲上策。”驍將夏侯存曰：“此書生之言耳。

Have you never heard the saying, ‘When the water comes, dam it with earth; when a general comes, meet him with troops’? Our army is fresh and waits for a weary foe; we are bound to win.” Cao Ren followed his advice. He left Man Chong to hold Fancheng and led his troops out himself to meet Yunchang.

豈不聞水來土掩，將至兵迎？我軍以逸待勞，自可取勝。”曹仁從其言，令滿寵守樊城，自領兵來迎雲長。

Knowing that Cao Cao’s troops were coming, Yunchang called his two generals Guan Ping and Liao Hua, gave them their instructions and sent them off. When the two armies were drawn up facing each other, Liao Hua rode out and challenged. Zhai Yuan came out to meet him. The two had fought only briefly when Liao Hua pretended to be beaten, wheeled his horse and fled. Zhai Yuan pursued, cutting down men from behind, and the Jingzhou troops fell back twenty li. The next day they came again to offer battle. Xiahou Cun and Zhai Yuan came out together to meet them, and again the Jingzhou troops were beaten and pursued for more than twenty li.

雲長知曹兵來，喚關平、廖化二將，受計而往。與曹兵兩陣對圓，廖化出馬搦戰。翟元出迎。二將戰不多時，化詐敗，撥馬便走，翟元從後追殺，荊州兵退二十里。次日，又來搦戰。夏侯存、翟元一齊出迎，荊州兵又敗，又追殺二十餘里。

Suddenly a great shouting arose behind them, and drums and horns sounded all together. Cao Ren hastily ordered his leading troops to turn back at once, but Guan Ping and Liao Hua came charging in from the rear, and Cao Cao’s army fell into great confusion. Realizing he had fallen into a trap, Cao Ren first drew off a body of troops and raced back toward Xiangyang. A few li from the city, embroidered banners waved ahead, and there was Yunchang, reining in his horse, his blade held across his saddle, barring the way. Cao Ren, his heart quaking, dared not engage him and fled along a byroad toward Xiangyang.

忽聽得背後喊聲大震，鼓角齊鳴。曹仁急命前軍速回，背後關平、廖化殺來，曹兵大亂。曹仁知是中計，先掣一軍飛奔襄陽；離城數里，前面繡旗招颭，雲長勒馬橫刀，攔住去路。曹仁膽戰心驚，不敢交鋒，望襄陽斜路而走。

Yunchang did not pursue. In a moment Xiahou Cun’s troops came up. Seeing Yunchang, Xiahou Cun flew into a rage and engaged him at once, but in a single bout Yunchang cut him down. Zhai Yuan fled, but Guan Ping caught up with him and killed him with one stroke. Pressing their advantage, they pursued and slaughtered, and more than half of Cao Cao’s troops perished in the Xiang River. Cao Ren fell back to hold Fancheng.

雲長不趕。須臾，夏侯存軍至，見了雲長，大怒，便與雲長交鋒，只一合，被雲長砍死。翟元便走，被關平趕上，一刀斬之。乘勢追殺，曹兵大半死於襄江之中。曹仁退守樊城。

Having won Xiangyang, Yunchang rewarded his troops and reassured the people. Wang Fu, a Marshal attached to the army, said, “With a single roll of the drums, General, you have taken Xiangyang, and though Cao Cao’s troops have lost heart, in my humble view there is this to consider: Lü Meng of Eastern Wu has troops stationed at Lukou and has always wanted to swallow up Jingzhou. What if he were to lead his troops straight in to take it?” Yunchang said, “I have been thinking of that too. You take charge of this. Go up and down along the river, and every twenty or thirty li choose a high mound and set up a beacon tower, each manned by fifty soldiers. If the Wu troops cross the river, have them light fires by night and raise smoke by day as a signal.

雲長得了襄陽，賞軍撫民。隨軍司馬王甫曰：“將軍一鼓而下襄陽，曹兵雖然喪膽，然以愚意論之：今東吳呂蒙屯兵陸口，常有吞併荊州之意；倘率兵徑取荊州，如之奈何？”雲長曰：“吾亦念及此。汝便可提調此事：去沿江上下，或二十里，或三十里，選高阜處置一烽火臺，每臺用五十軍守之；倘吳兵渡江，夜則明火，晝則舉煙爲號。

I will go myself and strike them.” Wang Fu said, “Mi Fang and Shi Ren are holding the two passes, but I fear they will not do their utmost. You must have one more man in overall charge of Jingzhou.” Yunchang said, “I have already sent the Assistant Governor Pan Jun to hold it. What is there to worry about?” Wang Fu said, “Pan Jun has always been jealous and greedy for gain; he cannot be trusted with the post. Send Zhao Lei, the Superintendent of Army Provisions, to replace him. Zhao Lei is loyal, honest and upright.

吾當親往擊之。”王甫曰：“糜芳、傅士仁守二隘口，恐不竭力；必須再得一人以總督荊州。”雲長曰：“吾已差治中潘浚守之，有何慮焉？”甫曰：“潘浚平生多忌而好利，不可任用。可差軍前都督糧料官趙累代之。趙累爲人忠誠廉直。

If you use him, there will be no chance of failure.” Yunchang said, “I have long known what sort of man Pan Jun is. The appointment has already been made; there is no need to change it. Zhao Lei is now in charge of the army’s provisions, and that is important work too. Stop being so suspicious, and just go and build my beacon towers.” Wang Fu bowed and took his leave, much displeased. Yunchang ordered Guan Ping to prepare boats to cross the Xiang River and attack Fancheng.

若用此人，萬無一失。”雲長曰：“吾素知潘浚爲人。今既差定，不必更改。趙累現掌糧料，亦是重事。汝勿多疑，只與我築烽火臺去。”王甫怏怏拜辭而行。雲長令關平準備船隻渡襄江，攻打樊城。

Meanwhile Cao Ren, having lost his two generals and fallen back to hold Fancheng, said to Man Chong, “Because I did not listen to you, my army has been beaten, my generals killed and Xiangyang lost. What am I to do?” Man Chong said, “Yunchang is a tiger of a general, full of wisdom and cunning. He must not be taken lightly. We should only hold fast.” Just as they were speaking, a report came that Yunchang was crossing the river to attack Fancheng. Cao Ren was greatly alarmed. “We should only hold fast,” said Man Chong. But Lü Chang, one of Cao Ren’s generals, said fiercely, “Give me a few thousand men and I will stop the oncoming army in the Xiang River.”

卻說曹仁折了二將，退守樊城，謂滿寵曰：“不聽公言，兵敗將亡，失卻襄陽，如之奈何？”寵曰：“雲長虎將，足智多謀，不可輕敵，只宜堅守。”正言間，人報雲長渡江而來，攻打樊城。仁大驚，寵曰：“只宜堅守。”部將呂常奮然曰：“某乞兵數千，願當來軍於襄江之內。”

“No,” Man Chong protested. Lü Chang said angrily, “If we go by what you civil officials say, we should do nothing but hold fast—and how will that drive off the enemy? Have you never heard what the art of war says: ‘Strike an army when it is halfway across a river’? Now Yunchang’s army is halfway across the Xiang River; why not strike it? Once their troops are under the walls and their generals at the edge of the moat, it will be hard to hold them off.” Cao Ren gave Lü Chang two thousand men and ordered him out of Fancheng to give battle. When Lü Chang came to the riverside, the embroidered banners ahead parted and Yunchang rode out, his blade held across his saddle.

寵諫曰：“不可。”呂常怒曰：“據汝等文官之言，只宜堅守，何能退敵？豈不聞兵法雲：軍半渡可擊。今雲長軍半渡襄江，何不擊之？若兵臨城下，將至壕邊，急難抵當矣。”仁即與兵二千，令呂常出樊城迎戰。呂常來至江口，只見前面繡旗開處，雲長橫刀出馬。

Lü Chang was about to go out to meet him, but the troops behind him, seeing Yunchang’s awesome, godlike majesty, fled before a blow was struck, and for all his shouting Lü Chang could not stop them. Yunchang charged in among them, and Cao Cao’s troops were utterly routed; more than half of both horse and foot were lost, and the remnants of the beaten army fled into Fancheng. Cao Ren hastily sent a man to ask for help. The messenger travelled day and night to Changan and presented the letter to Cao Cao, which said, “Yunchang has taken Xiangyang and is now pressing the siege of Fancheng hard.

呂常卻欲來迎，後面衆軍見雲長神威凜凜，不戰先走，呂常喝止不住。雲長混殺過來，曹兵大敗，馬步軍折其大半，殘敗軍奔入樊城。曹仁急差人求救，使命星夜至長安，將書呈上曹操，言：“雲長破了襄陽，現圍樊城甚急。

We beg you to send a senior general to our rescue.” Cao Cao pointed to a man in the ranks and said, “You go and raise the siege of Fancheng.” The man answered and stepped forward. All looked, and saw that it was Yu Jin. Yu Jin said, “I ask for a general to lead the van and go with me.” Cao Cao asked the assembly, “Who dares lead the van?” One man came forward boldly and said, “I will serve like a dog or a horse; I will take this Guan alive and lay him at your feet.”

望撥大將前來救援。”曹操指班部內一人而言曰：“汝可去解樊城之圍。”其人應聲而出。衆視之，乃于禁也。禁曰：“某求一將作先鋒，領兵同去。”操又問衆人曰：“誰敢作先鋒？”一人奮然出曰：“某願施犬馬之勞，生擒關某，獻於麾下。”

Cao Cao looked at him and was overjoyed.

操觀之大喜。

Indeed:
Before Eastern Wu is seen creeping in to seize its chance,
Northern Wei is seen sending yet more troops.
Who this man was will be told in the next chapter.

正是：未見東吳來伺隙，先看北魏又添兵。
未知此人是誰，且看下文分解。